Job Details
Continuous Improvement Leader
2025-08-13 Wells Enterprises Le Mars,IA
Description:
Responsible for deploying an effective CI strategy within a manufacturing or distribution facility, or key supply chain business area to support the organization's efforts to improve Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost.
In addition to the responsibilities listed above, other duties may be assigned by your supervisor, as dictated by business necessity.
About Us
Wells Enterprises, Inc. is the largest privately held ice cream manufacturer in the United States. Founded in 1913 by Fred H. Wells and run by the Wells family for generations, the company is an independent operating company of the Ferrero Group, one of the global leaders in sweet, packaged foods.
Wells produces more than 200 million gallons of ice cream per year and distributes products in all 50 states. Wells manufactures its signature brand Blue Bunny, lower-calorie Halo Top, the iconic Bomb Pop, and Blue Ribbon Classics.
Wells employs nearly 4,000 ice cream aficionados across the country. The company is headquartered in Le Mars, Iowa, where Wells has made Le Mars the “Ice Cream Capital of the World” as the largest manufacturer of ice cream in one location. Wells operates two manufacturing plants in Le Mars, Iowa, a manufacturing plant in Dunkirk, New York, and a manufacturing facility in Henderson, Nevada. Learn more at www.wellsenterprisesinc.com.
What We Offer
At Wells, we're proud to support our employees with comprehensive benefits that enhance health, financial wellness, and include paid time off (PTO). Eligible employees may also receive an annual incentive bonus based on Company performance. Learn more about our benefits here.
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Job Description
Responsible for deploying an effective CI strategy within a manufacturing or distribution facility, or key supply chain business area to support the organization's efforts to improve Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost.
- Oversee the development of Operations and Supply Chain (SC) CI resources in a single facility including training and development plans around CI tools, strategies, and techniques.
- Coach Operations-SC Leadership and hourly employees on the fundamentals of CI and build problem solving capabilities throughout the Operations organization.
- Ensure Operations-SC CI resources within assigned facility (direct reports) deliver a minimum, run-rate, sustained savings of 3X total compensation (i.e. salary, bonus, benefits) each year.
- Partner with facility Operations leaders to develop annual CI Objectives, Strategies and Plans (OSPs) and then to create revised quarterly plans based on the results and business needs.
- Ensure proper communication methods are utilized to create a shared CI mindset across the facility/department and reinforce basic CI principles, highlight Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) versus goals, share best practices and celebrate individual/team successes.
- Lead improvement projects and/or activities each year that deliver sustained, run-rate savings of 3X annual compensation (i.e. salary, bonus, benefits).
Responsible for deploying an effective CI strategy within a manufacturing or distribution facility, or key supply chain business area to support the organization's efforts to improve Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost.
- Oversee the development of Operations and Supply Chain (SC) CI resources in a single facility including training and development plans around CI tools, strategies, and techniques.
- Coach Operations-SC Leadership and hourly employees on the fundamentals of CI and build problem solving capabilities throughout the Operations organization.
- Ensure Operations-SC CI resources within assigned facility (direct reports) deliver a minimum, run-rate, sustained savings of 3X total compensation (i.e. salary, bonus, benefits) each year.
- Partner with facility Operations leaders to develop annual CI Objectives, Strategies and Plans (OSPs) and then to create revised quarterly plans based on the results and business needs.
- Ensure proper communication methods are utilized to create a shared CI mindset across the facility/department and reinforce basic CI principles, highlight Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) versus goals, share best practices and celebrate individual/team successes.
- Lead improvement projects and/or activities each year that deliver sustained, run-rate savings of 3X annual compensation (i.e. salary, bonus, benefits).
In addition to the responsibilities listed above, other duties may be assigned by your supervisor, as dictated by business necessity.
- Bachelor of Science (preferably in a technical field, i.e. Engineering) or significant business process improvement experience (5 years +) required, MBA preferred.
- Applying Continuous Improvement Methodologies with significant results in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Theory of Constraints (TOC) in different operating environments (i.e. discrete industries, process industries, warehouses, suppliers, back office).
- Orchestrating change across departments within a manufacturing plant or distribution center.
- Minimum 5 years with continuously increasing responsibility in a manufacturing environment.
- Minimum 3 years supervisory experience.
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma and/or TOC Jonah, and/or expertise in ERP process and system integration.
- Effective problem solver, strong communicator (oral & written), advanced operations analysis capability (labor, equipment, capacity, etc)
- Ability to positively influence and motivate others, effective coach/mentor to others, capable of building effective teams.
- Reports to Senior Manager of Continuous Improvement or Director of Continuous Improvement
- Direct Reports - CI personnel assigned to facility
- Indirect Reports - N/A
- Support and manage the Facility CI Budget and associated planning functions.
About Us
Wells Enterprises, Inc. is the largest privately held ice cream manufacturer in the United States. Founded in 1913 by Fred H. Wells and run by the Wells family for generations, the company is an independent operating company of the Ferrero Group, one of the global leaders in sweet, packaged foods.
Wells produces more than 200 million gallons of ice cream per year and distributes products in all 50 states. Wells manufactures its signature brand Blue Bunny, lower-calorie Halo Top, the iconic Bomb Pop, and Blue Ribbon Classics.
Wells employs nearly 4,000 ice cream aficionados across the country. The company is headquartered in Le Mars, Iowa, where Wells has made Le Mars the “Ice Cream Capital of the World” as the largest manufacturer of ice cream in one location. Wells operates two manufacturing plants in Le Mars, Iowa, a manufacturing plant in Dunkirk, New York, and a manufacturing facility in Henderson, Nevada. Learn more at www.wellsenterprisesinc.com.
What We Offer
At Wells, we're proud to support our employees with comprehensive benefits that enhance health, financial wellness, and include paid time off (PTO). Eligible employees may also receive an annual incentive bonus based on Company performance. Learn more about our benefits here.
Seniority level
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Job function
Management and ManufacturingIndustries
Food and Beverage Manufacturing
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